Viewpoints

Last week, I watched perfectly good bakery items land in the trash as the day ended. Meanwhile, just a few miles away, families in our community were left wondering where their next meal would come from.

What a strange two weeks it has been for Carolina Basketball fans, and anyone concerned with the University of North Carolina. By the time it happened, the dismissal of Hubert Davis on March 24 after five years as head coach was no surprise — yet it struck some lifelong Tar Heels as akin to a death in the family.

On July 3rd, 2025, H.R. 1, the “Big Beautiful Bill”, passed the US House of Representatives. The next day, July 4th, the president signed the bill into law

Perhaps there is no season more welcome in Chapel Hill than Spring. Finally a chance to enjoy longer hours outdoors.  The cool mornings give way to abundantly sunny days where a riot of color blooms against a Carolina blue sky, and includes, if you’re lucky, some time to stroll in a garden.

If you had any question about whether “The Carolina Way” is dead, you need no more evidence than the firing of Coach Davis.

Yessir, let’s complicate matters by firing a winning, respected head basketball coach that has earned the right to be given time to fix things and get better. Yeah boy, let’s fire the guy we got now, the guy we know, the guy whose blood runs Carolina Blue.

Less than three short weeks ago, North Carolina’s men’s basketball team and its fans were celebrating their first best-ever home season—18 contests without defeat—after closing out a tight, tense win over Clemson.

As a 28-year veteran of public education in North Carolina, and a current principal in a neighboring district, I was deeply saddened to learn that Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) must close two elementary schools.

On February 28, I stood with 40-50 other protesters outside the courthouse in Pittsboro, Many of us have been doing this every week for almost a year, but 2026 has raised the stakes.

I never knew Phil Berger was a wine connoisseur. At his watch party in Rockingham County, the President Pro Tem, equipped with his Latin title and entourage of worthies, served wine in plastic cups and conversed with Important Men in good suits.